AT Champions Application

“When most people think of assistive technology, they probably think of a motorized wheelchair or alternative communication device that can cost thousands of dollars. While those are forms of assistive technology, they are far from the only kinds. Assistive technology is anything that allows a person with a disability to do something much more than they could otherwise or will enable them to do something that they couldn’t before. By that definition, smart home appliances are assistive technology for me because I can’t turn my lights on any other way. The computer I’m typing on is assistive technology because although I can write by hand, it’s prolonged and time-consuming. Even something as simple as a straw is an assistive technology because it allows me to drink independently. That is why the AT Champions grant and program is so cool. It encourages self-advocates to share their experiences with assistive technology – what works best for them and what doesn’t.”